Frostbite and Cold Weather-Related Injuries
Steven Doerr, MD
Steven Doerr, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Doerr received his undergraduate degree in Spanish from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He graduated with his Medical Degree from the University Of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, Colorado in 1998 and completed his residency training in Emergency Medicine from Denver Health Medical Center in Denver, Colorado in 2002, where he also served as Chief Resident.
Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD
Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.
- Frostbite and Cold Weather-Related Injuries Facts
- Introduction to frostbite and cold weather-related injuries
- What type of injuries can be caused by cold weather?
- Cold weather-related injuries without tissue freezing
- Chilblains
- Trench foot
- Frostnip
- Cold weather-related injuries with tissue freezing
- Frostbite
- What does frostbite look like (frostbite pictures)?
- What are the signs and symptoms of frostbite?
- How should frostbite and other cold weather-related injuries be treated?
- What is the recovery time for a frostbite injury?
- When should a person seek medical care for a cold weather-related injury?
- Who is most likely to get a cold weather-related injury and what can be done to prevent it?
- Patient Comments: Frostbite - Experience
Frostbite and Cold Weather-Related Injuries Facts
- Cold weather-related injuries occur with and without freezing of body
tissues.
- Cold weather-related injuries include chilblains, trench foot, frostnip, and
frostbite.
- Signs and symptoms may include tingling, numbness, and changes in the color
and texture of the skin.
- Treatment generally includes moving out of the cold environment, removing
wet clothing, and re-warming the affected area.
- Frostbite is a serious cold weather-related injury that requires immediate
medical attention and rapid re-warming. Do not thaw the affected area if there
is the risk of refreezing.
- Certain individuals, such as the elderly, children, alcoholics, and the
homeless, are at increased risk of developing cold weather-related injuries.
- Prevention of cold weather-related injuries is best accomplished through proper planning and preparation for cold weather.
Introduction to frostbite and cold weather-related injuries
Winter cold and snow provide a number of opportunities to get outside and participate in activities such as skiing, sledding, and snowmobiling. However, without proper protection, cold weather-related injuries can occur even when temperatures are above freezing (32 F, 0 C). This is especially true if there are high winds or if clothing is wet. In general, however, it is both the temperature and the duration of exposure that play a role in determining the extent and severity of cold weather-related injuries. This information describes the different types of cold weather-related injuries, as well as what to do to prevent and treat them prior to reaching a health care practitioner.
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